THIS Book was just finished, and designed for the Press, when
the Author, to the great loss of the Learned World, was seized by a Disease that
brought him to his Death. However he took care in his last Will of its
Publication, desiring his Brother, to whom it was writ, to take that Trouble
upon him. But he was so taken up with Business and Removals, (as being Secretary
in Holland to the King of Great Britain) that be could find no
time for it till a year after the Death of the Author: When it so fell out, that
the Printers being somewhat tardy, and this Gentleman dying, the Book was left
without either Father or Guardian. Yet it now ventures into the Publick, in the
same method that it was writ by the Au[iv]thor, and
with the same Inscription to his Brother, tho dead; in confidence that this last
Piece of his will meet with as kind a reception from the World as all the other
Works of that Author have. ’Tis true there are not every where Mathematical
Demonstrations; but where they are wanting, you have probable and ingenious
Conjectures, which is the most that can be reasonably expected in such matters.
What belongs to, or has any thing to do with Astronomy, you will see
demonstrated, and the rest ingeniously and shrewdly guess’d at, from the
affinity and relation of the heavenly Bodies to the Earth. For your farther
Satisfaction read on, and farewel.

I Doubt not but I shall incur the Censures of learned Men
for putting this Book into English, because, they’l say, it renders Philosophy
cheap and vulgar, and, which is worse, furnishes a sort of injudicious People
with a smattering of Notions, which being not able to make a proper use of, they
pervert to the Injury of Religion and Science. I confess the Allegation is too
true: but after Bishop Wilkins, Dr. Burnet, Mr. Whiston,
and others, to say nothing of the antient Philosophers, who wrote in their own
Tongues; I say after these great Authors have treated on as learned and abstruse
Subjects in the same Language [vi] I hope
their Example will be allowed a sufficient excuse for printing this Book in
English.

Concerning this Edition I can say, that I have taken care
to have the Cuts exactly done, and have plac’d each Figure at the Page of
the Book that refers to it, which I take to be more convenient to the Reader
than putting ’em all at the end.

I have been careful to procure the best Paper; that I might
in some measure come up to the Beauty of the Latin Edition, tho this bear but
half the Price of it.

And l hope the Translator has express’d the Author’s Sense
aright, and has not committed Faults beyond what an ingenuous Reader can pardon.

By the Corrector’s fault Knowlege is spelt
thro-out the Book without a d.

NEW
CONJECTURES
Concerning the
Planetary Worlds,
THEIR
INHABITANTS
AND
PRODUCTIONS

Written by CHRISTIANUS HUYGENS, and inscrib’d to his Brother CONSTANTINE HUYGENS

BOOK the First

A Man that is of Copernicus’s Opinion, that this Earth
of ours is a Planet, carry’d round and enlighten’d by the Sun, like the rest of
them, cannot but [2] sometimes have a fancy, that
it’s not improbable that the rest of the Planets have their Dress and Furniture,
nay and their Inhabitants too as well as this Earth of ours: Especially if he
considers the later Discoveries made since Copernicus’s time of the Attendents of Jupiter and Saturn, and the Champain and hilly
Countrys in the Moon, which are an Argument of a relation and kin between our
Earth and them, as well as a proof of the Truth of that System. This has often
been our talk, I remember, good Brother, over a large Telescope, when we have
been viewing those Bodies, a study that your continual business and absence have
interrupted for this many years, But we were always apt to conclude, that ’twas
in vain to enquire after what Nature had been pleased to do there, seeing there
was no likelihood of ever coming to an end of the Enquiry. Nor could I ever find
that any Philosophers, those bold Heros, either antient or modern, ventur’d so
far. At the very birth of Astronomy, when the Earth was first asserted to
[3] be Spherical, and to be surrounded with Air,
even then there were some men so bold as to affirm, that there were an
innumerable company of Worlds in the Stars.

Bur later Authors, such as Cardinal Cusanus, Brunus,
Kepler (and if we may believe him, Tycho was of that opinion too)
have furnish’d the Planets with Inhabitants. Nay, Cusanus and Brunus
have allow’d the Sun and fixed Stars theirs too. But this was the utmost of
their boldness; nor has the ingenious French Author of the Dialogues about
the Plurality of Worlds carry’d the business any farther. Only some of them
have coined some pretty Fairy Stories of the Men in the Moon, just as probable
as Lucian’s true History; among which I must count Kepler’s, which
he has diverted us with in his Astronomical Dream. But a while ago thinking
somewhat seriously of this matter (not that I count my self quicker sighted than
those great Men, but that I had the happiness to live after most of them) methoughts the enquiry was not so impracticable, nor the way so
[4] stopt up with Difficulties, but that there was
very good room left for probable Conjectures. As they came into my head, I clapt
them down into common places, and shall now try to digest them into some
tolerable Method for your better conception of them, and add somewhat of the Sun
and Fixt Stars, and the Extent of that Universe of which our Earth is but an
inconsiderable point. I know you have such an esteem and reverence for any thing
that belongs to Heaven, that I perswade my self you will read what I have
written without pain: I’m sure I writ it with a great deal of pleasure; but as
often before, so now, I find the saying of Archytas true, even to the
Letter, That tho a Man were admitted into Heaven to view the wonderful
Fabrick of the World, and the Beauty of the Stars, yet what would otherwise be
Rapture and Extasie, would be but a melancholy Amazement if he had not a Friend
to communicate it to. I could wish indeed that all the World might not be my
Judges, but that I might chuse my Readers, Men like you, not
[5] ignorant in Astronomy and true Philosophy; for
with such I might promise my self a favourable hearing, and not need to make an
Apology for daring to vent any thing new to the World. But because I am aware
what other hands it’s likely to fall into, and what a dreadful Sentence I may
expect from those whose Ignorance or Zeal is too great, it may be worth the
while to guard my self beforehand against the Assaults of those sort of People.

There’s one sort who knowing nothing of Geometry or Mathematicks, will laugh at it as a whimsical and ridiculous undertaking. It’s
mere Conjuration to them to talk of measuring the Distance or Magnitude of the
Stars: And for the Motion of the Earth, they count it, if not a false, at least
a precarious Opinion; and no wonder then if they take what’s built upon such a
slippery Foundation for the Dreams of a fanciful Head and a distemper’d Brain.
What should we answer to these Men, but that their Ignorance is the cause of
their Dislike, and that if they had more Sense they [6]
would have fewer Scruples? But few people having had an opportunity of
prosecuting these Studies, either for want of Parts, Learning, or Leisure, we
cannot blame their Ignorance; and if they resolve to find fault with us for
spending time in such matters, because they do not understand the use of them,
we must appeal to properer Judges.

The other sort, when they hear us talk of new Lands, and
Animals endued with as much Reason as themselves will be ready to fly out into
religious Exclamations, that we set up Conjectures against the Word of God, and
broach Opinions directly opposite to Holy Writ. For we do not there read one
word of the Production of such Creatures, no not so much as of their Existence;
nay rather we read the quite contrary. For, That only mentions this Earth with
its Animals and Plants, and Man the Lord of them; but as for Worlds in the Sky,
’tis wholly silent. Either these Men resolve not to understand, or they are very
ignorant; For they have [7] been answer’d so often,
that I am almost asham’d to repeat it: That it’s evident God had no design to
make a particular Enumeration in the Holy Scriptures, of all the Works of his
Creation. When therefore it is plain that under the general name of Stars
or Earth are comprehended all the Heavenly Bodies, even the little
Gentlemen round Jupiter and Saturn, why must all that multitude of
Beings which the Almighty Creator has been pleased to place upon them, be
excluded the Privilege, and not suffer’d to have a share in the Expression? And
these Men themselves can’t but know in what sense it is that all things are said
to be made for the use of Man, not certainly for us to stare or peep through a
Telescope at; for that’s little better than nonsense. Since then the greatest
part of God’s Creation, that innumerable multitude of Stars, is plac’d out of
the reach of any man’s Eye; and many of them, it’s likely, of the best Glasses,
so that they don’t seem to belong to us; is it such an unreasonable Opinion,
that there are [8] some reasonable Creatures who
see and admire those glorious Bodies at a nearer distance?

But perhaps they’ll say, it does not become us to be so
curious and inquisitive in these things which the Supreme Creator seems to have
kept for his own knowlege: For since he has not been pleased to make any farther
Discovery or Revelation of them, it seems little better than presumption to make
any inquiry into that which he has thought fit to hide. But these Gentlemen must
be told, that they take too much upon themselves when they pretend to appoint
how far and no farther Men shall go in their Searches, and to set bounds to
other Mens Industry; just as if they had been of the Privy Council of Heaven: as
if they knew the Marks that God has plac’d to Knowlege: or as if Men were able
to pass those Marks. If our Forefathers had been at this rate scrupulous, we
might have been ignorant still of the Magnitude and Figure of the Earth, or of
such a place as America. The Moon might have [9]
shone with her own Light for all us, and we might have stood up to the ears in
Water, like the Indians at every Eclipse: and a hundred other things
brought to light by the late Discoveries in Astronomy had still been unknown to
us. For what can a Man imagine more abstruse, or less likely to be known, than
what is now as clear as the Sun? That vigorous Industry, and that piercing Wit
were given Men to make advances in the search of Nature, and there’s no reason
to put any stop to such Enquiries. I must acknowlege still that what I here
intend to treat of is not of that nature as to admit of a certain knowlege; I
can’t pretend to assert any thing as positively true (for that would be madness)
but only to advance a probable guess, the truth of which every one is at his own
liberty to examine. If any one therefore shall gravely tell me, that I have
spent my time idly in a vain and fruitless enquiry after what by my own
acknowlegement I can never come to be sure of; the answer is, that at this rate
he would put down all [10] Natural Philosophy as
far as it concerns it self in searching into the Nature of things:

In such noble and sublime Studies as these, ’tis a Glory to
arrive at Probability, and the search it self rewards the pains. But there are
many degrees of Probable, some nearer Truth than others, in the determining of
which lies the chief exercise of our Judgment.

But besides the Nobleness and Pleasure of the Studies, may not
we be so bold as to say, they are no small help to the advancement of Wisdom and
Morality? so far are they from being of no use at all. For here we may mount
from this dull Earth, and viewing it from on high, consider whether Nature has
laid out all her cost and finery upon this small speck of Dirt. So, like
Travellers into other distant Countrys, we shall be better able to judg of
what’s done at home, know how to make a true estimate of, and set its own value
upon every thing. We shall be less apt to admire what this World calls great,
shall nobly despise those Trifles the generality of Men set their Affections
[11] on, when we know that there are a multitude of
such Earths inhabited and adorned as well as our own. And we shall worship and
reverence that God the Maker of all these things; we shall admire and adore his
Providence and wonderful Wisdom which is displayed and manifested all over the
Universe, to the confusion of those who would have the Earth and all things
formed by the shuffling Concourse of Atoms, or to be without beginning. But to
come to our purpose.

And now because the chief Argument for the proof of what we
intend will be taken from the disposition of the Planets, among which without
doubt the Earth must be counted in the Copernican System, I shall here first of
all draw two Figures.

The first is a Description of the Orbs the Planets move in, in
that order that they are placed round the Sun, drawn as near as can be in their
true Proportions, like what you have seen in my Clock at home. The second shows
the Proportions of their Magnitudes in respect of one another and of the
[12] Sun, which you know is upon that same Clock of
mine too. In the first the middle Point or Center is the Place of the Sun, round
which, in an order that everyone knows, are the Orbits of Mercury,
Venus, the Earth with that of the Moon about it; then those of Mars,
Jupiter and Saturn: and about the two last the small Circles that
their Attendents march in: about Jupiter four, and about Saturn
five. Which Circles as well as that of the Moon are drawn larger than their true
Proportion would admit, otherwise they could not have been seen. You may easily
apprehend the Vastness of these Orbits by this, that the distance of the Earth
from the Sun is ten or twelve thousand of the Earth’s Diameters. Almost all
these Circles are in the same Plane, declining very little from that in which
the Earth moves, call’d the Plane of the Ecliptick. This Plane is cut
obliquely by the Axis upon which the Earth turns it self round in 24 hours,
whence arise the Successions of Day and Night:

The Axis of the Earth always keep[13]ing
the same Inclination to the Ecliptick (except a small change best known to
Astronomers) while the Earth it self is carry’d in its yearly Course round the
Sun, causes the regular Order of the Seasons of the Year: as you may see in all
Astronomers Books. Out of which I shall transcribe hither the Periods of the
Revolutions of the Planets, viz. Saturn moves round the Sun in 29 Years,
174 Days, and 5 Hours: Jupiter finishes his Course in 11 Years, 317 Days,
and 15 Hours: Mars his in about 687 Days. Our Year is 365 Days 6 Hours:
Venus’s 224 Days 18 Hours: and Mercury’s 88 Days. This is the now
commonly receiv’d System, invented by Copernicus, and very agreeable to
that frugal Simplicity Nature shows in all her Works.

If any one is resolved to find fault with it, let him first be
sure he understands it. Let him first see in the Books of Astronomers with how
much greater ease and plainness all the Motions of the Stars, and Appearances in
the Heavens are explained and demonstrated in this than either in
[14] that of Ptolemy or Tycho. Let
him consider that Discovery of Kepler, that the distances of the Planets
from the Sun, as well of the Earth as the rest; are in a fixt certain proportion
to the times they spend in their Revolutions. Which Proportion it’s since
observed that their Satellites keep round Jupiter and Saturn. Let
him examine what a contradictory Motion they are fain to invent for the solution
of the Polar Star’s changing its distance from the Pole. For that Star in the
end of the Little Bear’s Tail which now describes so small a Circle round the
Pole, that it is not above two Degrees and twenty Minutes, was observed about
1820 Years ago, in the time of Hipparchus, to be above 12: and will
within a few ages more be forty five Degrees distant from it: and after
25000 years more will return to the same place it is now in. Now if with them we
allow the Heavens to be turned upon their own Axis, at this rate they must have
a new Axis every day: a thing most abominably absurd, and repugnant to the
nature of all motion. Where[15]as nothing is easier
with Copernicus than to give us satisfaction in this matter. Then he may
impartially weigh those Answers that Galileus, Gassendus,
Kepler, and others have given to all Objections proposed, which have so
satisfied all Scruples, that generally all Astronomers now adays are brought
over to our side, and allow the Earth its Motion and Place among the Planets. If
he cannot be satisfied with all this, he is either one whose Dulness can’t
comprehend it, or who has his Faith at another man’s disposal, and so for fear
of Galileo’s fate dare not own it.

In the other Figure you have the Globes of the Planets, and of
the Sun, represented to your eyes as plac’d near one another. Where I have observ’d the same Proportion of their Diameters to that of the Sun, that I publish’d to the World in my Book of the Appearances of Saturn: namely,
the Diameter of the Ring round Saturn is to that of the Sun as 11 is to
37; that of Saturn himself about as 5 to 37; that of Jupiter as 2
to 11; that [16] of Mars as 1 to 166; of the
Earth as 1 to 111; and of Venus as 1 to 84: to which I shall now add that
of Mercury observ’d by Hevelius in the Year 1661, but calculated
by my self, and found to be as 1 to 290.

If you would know the way that we came to this knowledg of
their Magnitudes, by knowing the Proportion of their Distances from the Sun, and
the measure of their Diameters, you may find it in the Book beforementioned: and
I cannot yet see any reason to make an alteration in those I then settled, altho
I will not say they are without their faults.

For I can’t yet be of their mind, who think the use of
micrometers, as they call them, is beyond that of our Plates, but must still
think that those thin Plates or Rods of which I there taught the use, not to
detract from the due praises of so useful an Invention, are more convenient than
the Micrometers.

In this Proportion of the Planets it is worth while to take
notice of the prodigious Magnitude of the Sun in comparison with the four
innermost, [17] which are far less than Jupiter
and Saturn. And ’tis remarkable, that the Bodies of the Planets do not
increase together with their distances from the Sun, but that Venus is
much bigger than Mars.

Having thus explain’d the two Schemes, there’s no body I
suppose but, sees, that in the first the Earth is made to be of the same sort
with the rest of the Planets. For the very Position of the Circles shows it. And
that the other Planets are round like it, and like it receive all the Light they
have from the Sun, there’s no room (since the Discoveries made by Telescopes) to
doubt, Another thing they are like it in is, that they are moved round their own
Axis; for since ’tis certain that Jupiter and Saturn are, who can
doubt it of the others? Again, as the Earth has its Moon moving round it, so
Jupiter and Saturn have theirs. Now since in so many things they thus
agree, what can be more probable than that in others they agree too; and that
the other Planets are as beautiful and as well stock’d with
[18] Inhabitants as the Earth? or what shadow of
Reason can there be why they should not?

If anyone should be at the dissection of a Dog, and be: there
shewn the Intrails, the Heart, Stomach, Liver, Lungs and Guts, all the Veins,
Arteries and Nerves; could such a Man reasonably doubt whether there were the
same Contexture and Variety of Parts in a Bullock, Hog, or any other Beast, tho
he had never chanc’d to see the like opening of them? I don’t believe he would.
Or were we thorowly satisfy’d in the Nature of one of the Moons round Jupiter,
should not we straight conclude the same of the rest of them? So if we could be
assur’d in but one Comet, what it was that is the cause of that strange
appearance, should we not make that a Standard to judg of all others by?

’Tis therefore an Argument of no small weight that is fetch’d
from Relation and Likeness; and to reason from what we see and are sure of, to
what we cannot, is no false Logick. This must be our Method in this Treatise,
[19] wherein from the Nature and Circumstances of
that Planet which we see before our eyes, we may guess at those that are farther
distant from us.

And; First, ’tis more than probable that the Bodies of the
Planets are solid like that of our Earth, and that they don’t want what we call
Gravity, that Virtue, which like a Loadstone attracts whatsoever is near the
Body to its Center. And that they have such a quality, their very Figure is a
proof; for their Roundness proceeds only from an equal pressure of all their
Parts tending to the same Center. Nay more, we are so skilful now adays, as to
be able to tell how much more or less the Gravitation in Jupiter or
Saturn is than here; of which Discovery and its Author you may read my
Essay of the Causes of Gravitation.

But now to carry the search farther, let us see by what steps
we must rise to the attaining some knowlege in the more private Secrets
concerning the State and Furniture of these new Earths. And, first, how likely
is it [20] that they may be stock’d with Plants and
Animals as well as we? I suppose no body will deny but that there’s somewhat
more of Contrivance, somewhat more of Miracle in the production and growth of
Plants and Animals, than in lifeless heaps of inanimate Bodies, be they never so
much larger; as Mountains, Rocks, or Seas are. For the finger of God, and the
Wisdom of Divine Providence, is in them much more clearly manifested than in the
other. One of Democritus’s or Cartes’s Scholars may venture
perhaps to give some tolerable Explication of the appearances in Heaven and
Earth, allow him but his Atoms and Motion; but when he comes to Plants and
Animals, he’ll find himself non-plus’d, and give you no likely account of their
Production. For every thing in them is so exactly adapted to some design, every
part of them so fitted to its proper life, that they manifest an Infinite
Wisdom, and exquisite Knowlege in the Laws of Nature and Geometry, as, to omit
those Wonders in Generation, we shall by and by show; and
[21] make it an absurdity even to think of their being thus haply jumbled
together by a chance Motion of I don’t know what little Particles. Now should we
allow the Planets nothing but vast Deserts, lifeless and inanimate Stocks and
Stones, and deprive them of all those Creatures that more plainly speak their
Divine Architect, we should sink them below the Earth in Beauty and Dignity; a
thing that no Reason will permit, as I said before.

Well then, now we have gain’d the Point for them, and the
Planets may be allow’d some Bodys capable of moving themselves, not at all
inferior to ours, (for why should they?) and these are Animals. Now for fear of
starving there poor Creatures, we must have Plants you know. And so the other
Point is gain’d. And as for their Growth and Nourishment, ’tis no doubt the same
with ours, seeing they have the same Sun to warm and enliven them as ours have.

But perhaps some body may say, we conclude too fast. They will
not deny indeed but that there may be [22] Plants
and Animals on the Surface of the Planets, that deserve as well to be provided
for by their Creator as ours do: but why must they be of the same nature with
ours? Nature seems to court variety in her Works, and may have made them widely
different from ours either in their matter or manner of Growth, in their outward
Shape, or their inward Contexture; she may have made them such as neither our
Understanding nor Imagination can conceive. That’s the thing we shall now examin,
and whether it be not more likely that she has not observ’d such a variety as
they talk of. Nature seems most commonly, and in most of her Works, to affect
Variety, ’tis true; But they should consider ’tis not the business of a man to
pretend to settle how great this Difference and Variety must be. Nor does it
follow, because it may be Infinite, and out of our comprehension and reach, that
therefore things in reality are so. For suppose God should have pleased to have
made all things there just as he has here, the Inhabitants of those Places (if
there [23] are any such strange things) would
admire his Wisdom and Contrivance no less than if they were widely different;
seeing they can’t come to know what’s done in the other Planets. Who doubts but
that God, if he had pleased, might have made the Animals in
America and other distant Countries nothing like ours? (and Nature you know
affects Variety) yet we see he has not done it. They have indeed some difference
in their shape, and ’tis fit they should, to distinguish the Plants and Animals
of those Countries from ours, who live on this side the Earth; but even in this
variety there is an Agreement, an exact Correspondence in figure and shape, the
same ways of Growth, and new Productions, and of continuing their own kind.
Their Animals have Feet and Wings like ours, and like ours have Heart, Lungs,
Guts, and the Parts serving to Generation; whereas all these things, as well
with them as us, might, if it had so pleased Infinite Wisdom, have been order’d
a very different way. ’Tis plain then that Na[24]ture
has not exhibited that Variety in her Works that she could, and therefore we
must not allow that weight to this Argument, as upon the account of it to make
every thing in the Planets quite different from what is here. ’Tis more probable
that all the difference there is between us and them, springs from the greater
or less distance and influence from that Fountain of Heat and Life the Sun;
which will cause a difference not so much in their Form and Shape, as in their
Matter and Contexture.

And as for the matter whereof the Plants and Animals there
consist, tho it is impossible ever to come to the knowlege of its Nature, yet
this we may venture to assert (there being scarce any doubt of it) that their
Growth and Nourishment proceeds from some liquid Principle. Far all Philosophers
agree that there can be no other way of Nutrition; some of the chief among them
having made Water to be the Original of all things: Far whatsoever’s dry and
without moisture, is without motion too; and [25]
without motion it’s impossible there should be any increase. But the parts of a
Liquid being in continual motion one with another, and insinuating and twisting
themselves into the smallest Places, are thereby very proper and apt to add not
themselves only, but whatsoever else they may bring along with them to the
increase and growth of Bodies. Thus we see that by the means of Water the Plants
grow, blossom, and bear Fruit; and by the addition of that only, Stones grow
together out of Sand. And there’s no doubt but that Metals, Crystals, and
Jewels, have the same method of Production: Tho in them there has been no
opportunity to make the same observation, as well by reason of their slow
advances, as that they are commonly found far from the Places of their
Generation; thrown up I suppose by some Earthquakes or Convulsions. That the
Planets are not without Water, is made not improbable by the late Observations:
For about Jupiter are observ’d some spots of a darker hue than the rest
of his Body, [26] which by their continual change
show themselves to be Clouds: For the spots of Jupiter which belong to
him, and never remove from him, are quite different from these, being sometimes
for a long time not to be seen for these Clouds; and again, when there
disappear, showing themselves. And at the going off of these Clouds, some spots
have been taken notice of in him, much brighter than the rest of his Body, which
remain’d but a little while, and then were hid from our sight. These Monsieur
Cassini thinks are only the Reflection from the Snow that covers the tops of
the Hills in Jupiter: but I should rather think that it is only the
colour of the Earth, which chances to be free from those Clouds that commonly
darken it.

Mars too is found not to be without his dark spots, by
means of which he has been observ’d to turn round his own Axis in 24 hours and
40 minutes; the length of his day: but whether he has Clouds or no, we have not
had the same opportunity of observing as in Jupiter, as well because even
when [27] he is nearest the Earth, he appears to us
much less than Jupiter, as that his Light not coming so long a Journey,
is so brisk as to be an Impediment to exact Observations: And this Reason is as
much stronger in Venus as its Light is. But since ’tis certain that the
Earth and Jupiter have their Water and Clouds, there is no reason why the
other Planets should be without them.

I can’t say that they are exactly of the same nature with our
Water; but that they should be liquid their use requires, as their beauty does
that they should be clear. For this Water of ours, in Jupiter or
Saturn, would be frozen up instantly by reason of the vast distance of the
Sun. Every Planet therefore must have its Waters of such a temper, as to be
proportion’d to its heat: Jupiter’s and Saturn’s must be of such a
nature as not to be liable to Frost; and Venus’s and Mercury’s of
such, as not to be easily evaporated by the Sun. But in all of them, for a
continual supply of Moisture, whatever Water is drawn up by the Heat of the Sun
into Vapors, must necessa[28]rily return back again
thither. And this it cannot do but in drops, which are caused as well there as
with us, by their ascending into a higher and colder Region of the Air, out of
that which, by reason of the Reflection of the Rays of the Sun from the Earth,
is warmer and more temperate.

Here then we have found in there new Worlds Fields warm’d by
the kindly Heat of the Sun, and water’d with fruitful Dews and Showers: That
there must be Plants in them as well for Ornament as Use, we have shewn just
now. And what Nourishment, what manner of Growth shall we allow them? Why, I
think there can be no better, nay no other, than what we here experience; by
having their Roots fastned into the Earth, and imbibing its nourishing Juices by
their tender Fibres. And lest they should be only like so many bare Heaths, with
nothing but creeping Shrubs and Bushes, we’ll e’en send them some nobler and
loftier Plants, Trees, or somewhat like them: These being the greatest, and,
except Waters, the only [29] Ornament that Nature
has bestow’d upon the Earth. For not to speak of those many uses that are made
of their Wood, there’s no one that is ignorant either of their Beauty or
Pleasantness. Now what way can anyone imagine for a continual Production and
Succession of these Plants, but their bearing Seed? A Method so excellent that
it’s the only one that Nature has here made use of, and so wonderful, that it
seems to be design’d not far this Earth alone. In fine, there’s the same reason
to think that this Method is observ’d in those distant Countries, as there was
of its being follow’d in the remote Quarters of this same Earth.

’Tis much the same in Animals as ’tis in Plants, as to their
manner of Nourishment, and Propagation of their kind. For since all the living
Creatures of this Earth, whether Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Worms, or Insects,
universally and inviolably follow the same constant and fixt Institution of
Nature; all feed on Herbs, or Fruits, or the Flesh of other Animals that fed
[30] on them: since all Generation is perform’d by
the impregnating of the Eggs, and the Copulation of Male and Female: Why may not
the same rule be observ’d in the Planetary Worlds? For’t is certain that the
Herbs and Animals that are there would be lost, their whole Species destroy’d
without some daily new Productions: except there be no such thing there as
Misfortune or Accident: except the Plants are not like other humid Bodies, but
can bear Heat, Frost and Age, without being dry’d up, kill’d, or decay’d: except
the Animals have Bodies as hard and durable as Marble; which I think are gross
Absurdities. If we should invent some new way for their coming into the World,
and make them drop like Soland Geese from Trees, how ridiculous would this be to
any one that considers the vast difference between Wood and Flesh? Or suppose we
should have new ones made every day out of some such fruitful Mud as that of
Nile, who does not see how contrary this is to all that’s reasonable? And
that ’tis much more agreeable to [31] the Wisdom of
God, once for all to create of all sorts of Animals, and distribute them all
over the Earth in such a wonderful and inconceivable way as he has, than to be
continually obliged to new Productions out of the Earth? And what miserable,
what helpless Creatures must these be, when there’s no one that by his duty will
be obliged, or by that strange natural fondness, which God has wisely made a
necessary argument for all Animals to take care of their own, will be moved to
assist, nurse or educate them?

As for what I have said concerning their Propagation, I cannot
be so positive; but the other thing, namely, that they have Plants and Animals,
I think I have fully proved. And by the same Argument, of their not being
inferiour to our Earth, they must have as great a variety of both as we have.
What this is, will be best known to him that considers the different ways our
Animals make use of in moving from one place to another. Which may be reduc’d, I
think, to these; ei[32]ther that they walk upon two
feet or four; or like Insects, upon six, nay sometimes hundreds; or that they
fly in the Air bearing up, and wonderfully steering themselves with their Wings;
or creep upon the Ground without feet; or by a violent Spring in their Bodies,
or paddling with their feet, cut themselves a way in the Waters. I don’t
believe, nor can I conceive, that there should be any other way than these mention’d.
The Animals then in the Planets must make use of one or more of
these, like our amphibious Birds, which can swim in Water as well as walk on
Land, or fly in the Air; or like our Crocodiles and Sea-Horses, must be
Mongrels, between Land and Water. There can no other method be imagin’d but one
of these. For where is it possible for Animals to live, except upon such a solid
Body as our Earth, or a fluid one like the Water, or still a more fluid one than
that, such as our Air is? The Air I confess may be much thicker and heavier than
ours, and so, without any disadvantage to its Transpa[33]rency,
be fitter for the volatile Animals. There may be too many sorts of Fluids ranged
over one another in rows as it were. The Sea perhaps may have such a fluid lying
on it, which tho ten times lighter than Water, may be a hundred times heavier
than Air; whose utmost Extent may not be so large as to cover the higher places
of their Earth. But there’s no reason to suspect or allow them this, since we
have no such thing; and if we did, it would be of no advantage to them, for that
the former ways of moving would not be hereby at all increas’d: But when we come
to meddle with the Shape of these Creatures, and consider the incredible variety
that is even in those of the different parts of this Earth, and that America
has some which are no where else to be found, I must then confess that I think
it beyond the force of Imagination to arrive at any knowlege in the matter, or
reach probability concerning the figures of these Planetary Animals. Altho
considering these ways of Motion we e’en now recounted;
[34] they may perhaps be no more different from ours than ours (those of
ours I mean that are most unlike) are from one another.

If a man were admitted to a Survey of Jupiter or
Venus, he would no doubt find as great a number and variety as he had at
home. Let us then, that we may make as near a guess at, and as reasonable a
judgment of the matter as we can, consider the many sorts, and the admirable
difference in the shapes of our own Animals; running over some of the chief of
them (for ’twould be tedious to set about a general Catalogue) that are
notoriously different from one another, either in their Figure or some peculiar
Property belonging to them; as they belong to the Land, or the Water, or the
Air. Among the Beasts we may take notice of the great distance between the
Horse, the Elephant, the Lion, the Stag, the Camel, the Hog, the Ape, the
Porcupine, the Tortoise, the Cameleon: in the Water, of that between the Whale,
and the Sea-Calf, the Skait, the Pike, the Eel, the Ink-[35]Fish,
the Pourcontrel, the Crocodile, the flying Fish, the Cramp Fish, the Crab, the
Oister, and the Purple Fish: and among Birds, of that between the Eagle, the
Ostrich, the Peacock, the Swan, the Owl, and the Bat: and in Insects, of that
between the Ants, the Spider, the Fly, and the Butterfly; and of that Prodigy in
their wonderful change from Worms. In this Roll I have pass’d by the creeping
kind as one sort, and skip’d over that vast multitude of less different Animals
that fill the intermediate spaces.

But be they never so many, there is no reason to think that
the Planets cannot match them. For tho we in vain guess at the Figures of those
Creatures, yet we have discover’d somewhat of their manner of Life in general;
and of their Senses we shall more by and by.

The more considerable Differences in our Plants ought to be
thought on, as well as the other. As in Trees, that between the Fir and the Oak,
the Palm, the Vine, the Fig, and the Coca-Nut Tree, and that in the Indies,
from whose Boughs new Roots spring; [36] and grow
downwards into the Earth. In Herbs, the difference is notable between Grass,
Poppy, Colewort, Ivy, Pompions, and the Indian Fig with thick Leaves growing up
without any Stalk, and Aloe. Between everyone of which again there are many less
differing Plants not taken notice of. Then the different ways of raising them
are remarkable, whether from Seeds, or Kernels, or Roots, or by grafting or
inoculating them. And yet in all these, whether we consider the things
themselves, or the ways of their Production, I make no doubt but that the
Planetary Worlds have as wonderful a variety as we.

But still the main and most diverting Point of the Enquiry is
behind, which is the placing some Spectators in these new Discoveries, to enjoy
these Creatures we have planted them with, and to admire their Beauty and
Variety. And among all, that have never so slightly meddled with these matters,
I don’t find any that have scrupled to allow them their Inhabitants: not Men
perhaps like ours, but [37] some Creatures or other
endued with Reason. For all this Furniture and Beauty the Planets are stock’d
with seem to have been made in vain, without any design or end, unless there
were some in them that might at the same time enjoy the Fruits, and adore the
wise Creator of them. But this alone would be no prevailing Argument with me to
allow them such Creatures. For what if we should say, that God made them for no
other design, but that he himself might see (not as we do ’tis true; but that he
that made the Eye sees, who can doubt?) and delight himself in the contemplation
of them? For was not Man himself, and all that the whole World contains, made
upon this very account? That which makes me of this opinion, that those Worlds
are not without such a Creature endued with Reason, is, that otherwise our Earth
would have too much the advantage of them, in being the only part of the
Universe that could boast of such a Creature so far above, not only Plants and
Trees, but all [38] Animals whatsoever: a Creature
that has a Divine somewhat within him, that knows, and understands, and
remembers such an innumerable number of things; that deliberates, weighs and
judges of the Truth: a Creature upon whose account, and for whose use,
whatsoever the Earth brings forth seems to be provided. For every thing here he
converts to his own ends. With the Trees, Stones, and Metals, he builds himself
Houses: the Birds and Fishes he sustains himself with: and the Water and Winds
he makes subservient to his Navigation; as he doth the sweet Smell and glorious
Colours of the Flowers to his Delight. What can there be in the Planets that can
make up for its Defects in the want of so noble an Animal? If we should allow
Jupiter a greater variety of other Creatures, more Trees, Herbs and Metals,
all these would not advantage or dignify that Planet so much as that one Animal
doth ours by the admirable Productions of his penetrating Wit. If I am out in
this, I do not know when [39] to trust my Reason,
and must allow my self to be but a poor Judg in the true estimate of things.

Nor let anyone say here, that there’s so much Villany and
Wickedness in this Man that we have thus magnified, that it’s a reasonable
doubt, whether he would not be so far from being the Glory and Ornament of the
Planet that enjoys his Company, that he would be rather its Shame and Disgrace.
For first, the Vices that most Men are tainted with, are no hindrance, but that
those that follow the Dictates of true Reason, and obey the Rules of a rigid
Virtue, are still a Beauty and Ornament to the place that has the happiness to
harbour them. Besides, the Vices of Men themselves are of excellent use, and are
not permitted and allow’d in the World without wise design. For since it has so
pleased God to order the Earth, and every thing in it as we see it is (for it’s
nonsense to say it happen’d against his Will or Knowlege) we must not think that
those different Opinions, and that various multiplicity of Minds
[40] were plac’d in different Men to no end or
purpose: but that this mixture of bad Men with good, and the Consequents of such
a mixture, as Misfortunes, Wars, Afflictions, Poverty, and the like, were given
us for this very good end, viz. the exercising our Wits, and sharpening
our Inventions; by forcing us to provide for our own necessary defence against
our Enemies.

’Tis to the fear of Poverty and Misery that we are beholden
for all our Arts, and for that natural Knowlege which was the product of
laborious Industry; and which makes us that we cannot but admire the Power and
Wisdom of the Creator, which otherwise we might have pass’d by with the same
indifference as Beasts. And if Men were to lead their whole Lives in an undisturb’d continual Peace, in no fear of Poverty, no danger of War, I don’t
doubt they would live little better than Brutes, without all knowlege or
enjoyment of those Advantages that make our Lives pass on with pleasure and
profit. We should want the wonderful Art of Writing, if its great
[41] use and necessity in Commerce and War had not
forc’d out the Invention. ’Tis to these we owe our Art of Sailing, our Art of
Sowing, and most of those Discoveries of which we are Masters; and almost all
the Secrets in experimental Knowlege. So that those very things that make up
their Indictment against Reason, are no small helps to its advancement and
perfection. For those Virtues themselves, Fortitude and Constancy; would be of
no use if there were no Dangers, no Adversity, no Afflictions for their exercise
and trial.

If we should therefore imagine in the Planets some such
reasonable Animal as Man is, adorn’d with the same Virtues, and infected with
the same Vices, it would be so far from degrading or vilifying them, that while
they want such a one, I must think them inferior to our Earth.

Well, but allowing these Planetarians some sort of Reason must
it needs be the same with ours? Why truly I think ’tis, and must be so; whether
we consider it as applied to Justice and [42]
Morality, or exercised in the Principles and Foundations of Science. For Reason
with us is that which gives us a true sense of Justice and Honesty, Praise,
Kindness and Gratitude: ’tis that that teaches us to distinguish universally
between Good and Bad; and renders us capable of Knowlege and Experience in it.
And can there be any where a Reason contrary to this? or can what we call just
and generous in Jupiter or Mars be thought unjust Villany? This is
not at all, I don’t say probable, but possible. For the aim and design of the
Creator is every where the preservation and safety of his Creatures. Now when
such a Reason as we are masters of, is necessary for the preservation of Life,
and promoting of Society (a thing that they be not without, as we shall show)
would it not be strange that the Planetarians should have such a perverse sort
of Reason given them, as would necessarily destroy and confound what it was
design’d to maintain and defend? But allowing Morality and Passions with those
Gentlemen to be somewhat [43] different from ours,
and supposing they may act by other principles in what belongs to Friendship,
and Anger, Hatred, Honesty, Modesty, and Comeliness, yet still there would be no
doubt, but that in the search after Truth, in judging of the Consequences of
things, in reasoning, particularly in that sort which belongs to Magnitude or
Quantity, about which their Geometry (if they have such a thing) is employ’d,
there would be no doubt I say, but that their Reason here must be exactly the
same, and go the same way to work with ours, and that what’s true in one part
will hold true over the whole Universe; so that all the difference must lie in
the degrees of Knowlege, which will be proportional to the Genius and Capacity
of the Inhabitants.

But I perceive I am got a little too far: For till I have
furnished them with Senses, neither will Life be any pleasure to them, nor
Reason of any use. And I think it very probable, that all their Animals, as well
their Beasts as rational Creatures, are like [44]
ours in all that relates to the Senses: For without the power of Seeing we
should find it impossible for Animals to provide Food for themselves, or be
forewarn’d of any approaching danger, so as to guard themselves from it. So that
where-ever we plant any Animals, except we would have them lead the Life of
Worms or Moles, we must allow them Sight; than which nothing can conduce more
either to the preservation or pleasure of their Lives.

Then if we consider the wonderful nature of Light, and the
amazing Artifice in the fit framing the eye for the reception of it, we cannot
but see that Bodies so vastly remote could not be view’d by us in their proper
Figures and just Distances, any other way than by Sight. For this Sense, and all
others that we know of, must proceed from an external Motion. Which in the sense
of Seeing must come either from the Sun, the fixt Stars, or Fire: whose
Particles being whirled about with a rapid Motion, communicate it to the
Celestial Matter about, whence ’tis convey’d in an instant to the most
[45] distant parts, just like Sound through the
Air. If it were not for this Motion of the intermediate Matter, we should be all
in darkness, and have sight neither of Sun nor Stars, nor any thing else, for
all other Light must come to us at second-hand from them. This Motion perceived
by the Eyes is called Light. And the nice Curiosity of this Perception is
admirable, in that it is caused by the smallest Particle of that fine Matter,
and can at the same time determine the Coast from whence the Motion comes; in
that all these different Roads of Motion, these Waves crossing and interfering
with one another, are yet no hindrance to every ones free passage. All these
things are so wisely, so wonderfully contrived, that it’s above the power of
humane Wit, not to invent or frame somewhat like them, but even to imagine and
comprehend them. For what can be more amazing, than that a Particle of Body
should be so devised and framed, as by its means to show us the Shape, the
Position, the Distance, and all the Motions, nay and all the
[46] Colours, distinguishing of a Body that is far
remote from us? And then the artful Composition of the Eye, drawing an exact
Picture of the Objects without it, upon the concave side of the Choroides, is
even above all admiration, nor is there any thing in which God has more plainly
manifested his excellent Geometry. And these things are not only contrived and
framed with so great Wisdom and Skill, as not to admit of better, but to any one
that considers them attentively, they seem to be of such a nature as not to
allow any other Method. For it’s impossible that Light should represent Objects
to us at so vast a distance, except by such an intervening Motion; and it’s as
impossible that any other Composition of the Eye should be equally fitted to the
reception of such Impressions. So that I cannot but think them mightily out,
that maintain these things might have been contrived many other ways. It’s
likely then, and credible, that in these things the Planets have an exact
correspondence with us, and that their Animals [47]
have the same Organs, and use the same way of sight that we do. Well then they
have Eyes, and two at least we must grant them, otherwise they would not
perceive some things close to them, and so could not avoid Mischiefs that take
them on the blind side. And if we must allow them all Animals for the
preservation of their Life, how much more must they that make more, and more
noble uses of them, not be deprived of the Blessing of so advantageous Members?
For by them we view the various Flowers, and the elegant Features of Beauty:
with them we read, we write, we contemplate the Heavens and Stars, and measure
their Distances, Magnitudes, and Journeys: which how far they are common to the
Inhabitants of those Worlds with us, I shall strait examine.

But first I shall enquire whether now we have given them one,
we may not venture upon the other four Senses, to make them as good Men as our
selves. And truly Hearing puts in hard, and almost perswades me to give it a
share in the Animals of those new Coun[48]tries.
And ’tis of great consequence in defending us from sudden accidents; and,
especially when Seeing is of no use to us, it supplys its place, and gives us
seasonable warning of any imminent danger. Besides, we see many Animals call
their fellows to them with their Voice, which Language may have more in it than
we are aware of, tho we don’t understand it. But if we do but consider the vast
uses and necessary occasions of Speaking on the one side, and Hearing on the
other, among those Creatures that make use of their Reason, it will scarce seem
credible that two such useful, such excellent things were designed only for us.
For how is it possible but that they that are without these, must be without
many other Necessaries and Conveniences of Life? Or what can they have to
recompense this want?

Then, if we go still farther, and do but meditate upon the
neat and frugal Contrivance of Nature in making this same Air, by the drawing in
of which we live, by whose Motion we sail, and by whose means Birds fly, for a
[49] conveyance of Sound to our ears; and this
Sound for the conveyance of another man’s Thoughts to our Minds: can we ever imagin that she has left those other Worlds destitute of so vast Advantages?
That they don’t want the means of them is certain, for their having Clouds in
Jupiter puts it past doubt that they have Air too; that being mostly formed
of the Particles of Water flying about, as the Clouds are of them gathered into
small Drops. And another proof of it is, the necessity of breathing for the
preservation of Life, a thing that seems to be as universal a Dictate of Nature,
as feeding upon the Fruits of the Earth.

As for Feeling, it seems to be given upon necessity to all
Creatures that are cover’d with a fine and sensible Skin, as a Caution against
coming too near those things that may injure or incommode them: and without it
they would be liable to continual Wounds, Blows and Bruises. Nature seems to
have been so sensible of this; that she has not left the least place free from
such a perception. Therefore it’s pro[50]bable that
the Inhabitants of those Worlds are not without so necessary a Defence, and so
fit a Preservative against Dangers and Mishaps.

And who is there that doth not see the inevitable necessity
for all Creatures that live by feeding to have both Tast and Smell, that they
may distinguish those things that are good and nourishing, from those that are
mischievous and harmful? If therefore we allow the Planetary Creatures to feed
upon Herbs, Seeds, or Flesh, we must allow them a distinguishing Tast and Smell
too, that they may chuse or refuse any thing according as they find it likely to
be advantagious or noxious to them.

I know that it hath been a question with many, whether there
might not have been more Senses than those five. If we should allow this, it
might nevertheless be reasonably doubted whether the Senses of the Planetary
Inhabitants are much different from ours. I must confess, I cannot deny but
there might possibly have been more Senses; but when I consider the Uses
[51] of those we have, I cannot think but they
would have been superfluous. The Eye was made to discern near and remote
Objects, the Ear to give us notice of what our Eyes could not, either in the
dark or behind our back: Then what neither the Eye nor the Ear could, the Nose
was made (which in Dogs is wonderfully nice) to warn us of. And what escapes the
notice of the other four Senses, we have Feeling to inform us of the too near
approaches of, before it can do us any mischief. Thus has Nature so plentifully,
so perfectly provided for the necessary preservation of her Creatures here, that
I think she can give nothing more to those there, but what will be needless and
superfluous. Yet the Senses were not wholly design’d for use: but Men from all,
and all other Animals from some of them, reap Pleasure as well as Profit, as
from the Tast in delicious Meats; from the Smell in Flowers and Perfumes; from
the Sight in the contemplation of beauteous Shapes and Colours; from the Hearing
in the sweetness and har[52]mony of Sounds; from
the Feeling in Venery, unless you please to count that for a particular Sense by
it self.

Since it is thus, I think ’tis but reasonable to allow the
Inhabitants of the Planets these same advantages that we have from them. For
upon this consideration only, how much happier and easier a man’s Life is render’d by the enjoyment of them, we must be obliged to grant them these
Blessings, except we would ingross every thing that is good to our selves, as if
we were worthier and more deserving than any else. But moreover, that Pleasure
which we perceive in eating or in copulation, seems to be a necessary and
provident Command of Nature, whereby it tacitly compels us to the preservation
and continuance of our Life and Kind. It is the same in Beasts. So that both for
their happiness and preservation it’s very probable the rest of the Planets are
not without it. Certainly when I consider all these things, how great, noble,
and useful they are; when I consider what an admirable Providence it is
[53] that there’s such a thing as Pleasure in the
World, I can’t but think that our Earth, the smallest part almost of the
Universe, was never design’d to monopolize so great a Blessing. And thus much
for those Pleasures which affect our bodily Senses, but have little or no
relation to our Reason and Mind. But there are other Pleasures which Men enjoy,
which their Soul only and Reason can relish: some airy and brisk, others grave
and solid, and yet nevertheless Pleasures, as arising from the Satisfaction
which we feel in Knowlege and Inventions, and searches after Truth, of which
whether the Planetary Inhabitants are not partakers, we shall have an
opportunity of enquiring by and by.

There are some other things to be consider’d first, in which
it’s probable they have some relation to us. That the Planets have those
Elements of Earth, Air, and Water, as well as we, I have already made not
unlikely.

Let us now see whether they may not have Fire too: which is
not so properly call’d an Element, as a rapid [54]
Motion of the Particles in the inflammable Body. But be it what it will, there
are many Arguments for their not being without it. For this Earth is not so
truly call’d the Place of Fire as the Sun: and as by the heat of that all Plants
and Animals here thrive and live; so, no doubt, is it in the other Planets.
Since then Fire is caused by a most intense and vigorous Heat, it follows that
the Planets, especially those nearer the Fountain of it, have their
proportionate degrees of Heat and Fire. And when there are so many ways of its
Production, as by the collection of the Rays of the Sun, by the reflection of
Mirrors, by the striking of Flint and Steel, by the rubbing of Wood, by the
close loading of moist Grass, by Lightning, by the eruptions of Mountains and Volcanos, it’s strange if neither Art should have produc’d it, nor Nature
effected it there by one of these many means. Then how useful and necessary is
it to us? By it we drive away Cold, and supply the want of the Sun in those
Countries where his oblique Rays [55] make a less
vigorous Impression, and so keep a great part of the Earth from being an
uninhabited Desart: which is equally necessary in all the Planets, whether we
allow them Succession of Seasons, or a, perpetual Spring and Æquinox: for even
then the Countries near the Pole would receive but little advantage from the
Heat of the Sun. By the help of this we turn the night into day, and thereby
make a considerable addition to the shortness so our Lives. Upon all these
accounts I must not let this Earth of ours enjoy it all alone, and exclude all
the other Planets from so advantageous and so profitable a Gift.

But perhaps it maybe asked as well concerning Brutes as
rational Creatures, and of their Plants and Trees too, whether they are
proportionably larger or less than ours. For if the Magnitude of the Planets was
to be the Standard of their measure, there would be Animals in Jupiter
ten or fifteen times larger than Elephants, and as much longer than our Whales.
And then their Men must be mere Goliahs, [56]
in respect of our Pygmiships. Now tho I don’t see any so great absurdity in this
as to make it impossible, yet there is no reason to think it is really so,
seeing Nature has not always ty’d her self to those Rules which we have thought
more convenient for her: for example, the magnitude of the Planets is not
answerable to their distances from the Sun; but Mars, tho more remote, is
far less than Venus: and Jupiter turns round his Axis in ten
hours, when the Earth which is much lees than him, spends 24. But since Nature,
perhaps some body will say, has not observ’d such a Regularity in the proportion
of things, for ought we know we may have a Race of Pygmies about the bigness of
Frogs and Mice, possess’d of the Planets. But I shall show that this is very
improbable by and by.

There may arise another Question, whether there be in the
Planets but one or more sorts of rational Creatures possess’d of different
degrees of Reason and Sense. There is something not unlike this to be observ’d
among [57] us. For to pass by those who have human
Shape (altho some of them would very well bear that enquiry too) if we do but
consider some sorts of Beasts, as the Dog, the Ape, the Beaver, the Elephant,
nay some Birds and Bees, what sense and Understanding they are masters of, we
shall be forc’d to allow, that Man is not the only rational Animal. For we
discover somewhat in them of Reason independent on, and prior to all teaching
and practice.

But still no body can doubt, but that the Understanding and
Reason of Man is to be prefer’d to theirs as being comprehensive of innumerable
things, indued with an infinite memory of what’s past, and capable of providing
against what’s to come. That there is some such rational Creature in the other
Planets, which is the Head and Sovereign of the rest, is very reasonable to
believe: for otherwise, were many endued with the same Wisdom and Cunning, we
should have them always doing mischief, always quarrelling and fighting one
another [58] for Empire and Sovereignty, a thing
that we feel too much of where we have but one such Creature. But to let that
pass, our next Enquiry shall be concerning those Animals in the Planets which
are furnish’d with the greatest Reason, whether it’s possible to know wherein
they employ it, and whether they have made as great advances in Arts and Knowlege as we in our Planet. Which deserves most to be consider’d and examin’d
of any thing belonging to their nature; and for the better performance of it we
must take our rise somewhat higher, and nicely view the Lives and Studies of
Men.

And in those things wherein Men provide and take care only of
what’s absolutely necessary for the preservation of their Life; in defending
themselves from the Injuries of the Air; in securing themselves against the
Incursions of Enemies by Walls; and against Fraud and Disturbances by Laws; in
educating their Children, and providing for themselves and them: In all these I
can see no great [59] reason that Man has to boast
of the preeminency of his Reason above Beasts and other Animals. For most of
these things they perform with greater ease and art than us, and some of them
they have no need of. For that sense of Virtue and Justice in which Man excels,
of Friendship, Gratitude and Honesty, of what use are they, but either to put a
stop to the Wickedness of Men, or to secure us from mutual Assaults and
Injuries, a thing wherein the Beasts want no Guide but Nature and Inclination?
Then if we set before our eyes the manifold Cares, the disturbances of Mind, the
restless Desires, the dread of Death, that are the result of this our Reason;
and compare them with that easy, quiet, and harmless Life which other Animals
enjoy, we should be apt to wish a change, and conclude that they, especially
Birds, liv’d with more pleasure and happiness than Man could with all his
Wisdom. For they have as great a gusto of bodily Pleasures as we, let the new
Philosophers say what they will, who would [60]
have them go for nothing but Clocks and Engines of Flesh; a thing which Beasts
so plainly confute by crying and running away from a stick, and all other
actions, that I wonder how anyone could subscribe to so absurd and cruel an
Opinion. Nay I can scarce doubt but that Birds feel no small pleasure in their
easy, smooth sailing through the Air; and would much more if they but knew the
advantages it hath above our slow and laborious Progression.

What is it then after all that sets human Reason above all
other, and makes us preferable to the rest of the Animal World? Nothing in my
mind so much as the contemplation of the Works of God, and the study of Nature,
and the improving those Sciences which may bring us to some knowlege in their
Beauty and Variety. For without Knowlege what would be Contemplation? And what
difference is there between a Man, who with a careless supine negligence views
the Beauty and Use of the Sun, and the fine golden Furniture of the Heaven, and
one [61] who with a learned Niceness searches into
their Courses; who understands wherein the Fixt Stars, as they are call’d,
differ from the Planets, and what is the reason of the regular Vicissitude of
the Seasons; who by sound reasoning can measure the magnitude and distance of
the Sun and Planets? Or between such a one as admires perhaps the nimble
Activity and strange Motions of some Animals, and one that knows their whole
Structure, understands the whole Fabrick and Architecture of their Composition?

If therefore the Principle we before laid down be true, that
the other Planets are not inferior in dignity to ours, what follows but that
they have Creatures not to stare and wonder at the Works of Nature only, but who
employ their Reason in the examination and knowlege of them, and have made as
great advances therein as we have? They do not only view the Stars, but they
improve the Science of Astronomy: nor is there any thing can make us think this
improbable, but that fond conceitedness of every thing that we
[62] call our own, and that pride that is too
natural to us to be easily laid down. But I know some will say, we are a little
too bold in these Assertions of the Planets, and that we mounted hither by many
Probabilities, one of which, if it chance to be false, and contrary to our
supposition, would, like a bad Foundation, ruin the whole Building, and make it
fall to the ground. But I would have them to know, that all I have said of their
Knowlege in Astronomy, has proofs enough, antecedent to those we now produc’d.
For supposing the Earth, as we did, one of the Planets of equal dignity and honor with the rest, who would Venture to say, that no where else were to be
found any that enjoy’d the glorious sight of Nature’s Opera? Or if there were
any fellow-Spectators, yet we were the only ones that had dived deep into the
secrets and knowlege of it? So then here’s a proof not so far fetch’d for the
Astronomy of the Planets, the same which we used for their having rational
Creatures, and enjoying the other advan[63]tages we
before talk’d of, which serves at the same time for the confirmation of our
former Conjectures. But if Amazement and Fear at the Eclipses of the Moon and
Sun gave the first occasion to the study of Astronomy, as they say it did, then
it’s almost impossible that Jupiter and Saturn should be without
it; the Argument being of much greater force in them, by reason of the; daily
Eclipses of their Moons, and the frequent ones of the Sun to their Inhabitants.
So that if a Person disinterested in his Judgment, and equally ignorant of the
Affairs of all the Planets, were to give his Opinion in the matter, I don’t
doubt he would give the cause for Astronomy to those two Planets rather than us.

This supposition of their Knowlege and Use of Astronomy in the
Planetary World, will afford us many new Conjectures about their manner of life,
and their state as to other things.

For, First: No Observations of the Stars, that are necessary
to the knowlege of their Motions, can be made without Instruments; nor can
[64] these be made without Metal, Wood, or some
such solid Body. Here’s a necessity of allowing them the Carpenters Tools, the
Saw, the Ax, the Plane, the Mallet, the File: and the making of these requires
the use of Iron, or some equally hard Metal.

Then the necessity in such Observations of marking down the
Epochas or Accounts of Time, and of transmitting them to Posterity, will force
us to grant them the Art of Writing; I won’t say the same with ours which is
commonly used, but I dare affirm not more ingenious or easy. For how much more
ready and expeditious is our way, than by that multitude of Characters used in
China; and how vastly preferable to Knots tied in Cords, or the Pictures
in use; among the barbarous People of Mexico and Peru? There’s no
Nation in the World but has some way or other of writing and marking down
[65] their Thoughts: So that it’s no wonder if the Planetarians
have been taught it by that great School-mistress Necessity, and apply it to the
study of Astronomy and other Sciences. In Astronomical matters the necessity of
it is moreover apparent from hence, that the motion of the Stars is as ’twere to be fancied and guess’d at in different Systems, and these
Systems to be continually improved and corrected, as later and more exact
Observations shall convince the old ones of faults: all which can never be deliver’d down to succeeding Generations, unless we make use of Letters and
Figures.

But for all our large and liberal allowances to these
Gentlemen, they will still be behind-hand with us, For we have so certain a
knowlege of the true System and Frame of the Universe; we have so admirable an
Invention of Telescopes to help our failing Eye-sight in the view of the bigness
and different forms of the Planetary Bodies, in the discovery of the Mountains,
and the Shadows of them on [66] the Surface of the
Moon, in the bringing to light an innumerable multitude of Stars otherwise
invisible, that we must necessarily be far their Masters in that Knowlege. What
must I do here? I could find in my heart (and I can see no reason why I may not,
except it be to flatter and complement our selves in being the only People that
have the advantage of such excellent Inventions) either to allow these Planetary
Inhabitants such sharp Eyes as not to need them, or else the use of Glasses to
help the deficiency of their Sight. And yet I dare not, for fear People should
be so disturbed at the ridiculous Extravagancy of such an Opinion, as to take
the measure of my other Conjectures by it, and hiss them all off, upon the
account of this alone.

But some body may perhaps object, and that not without reason
at first sight, that the Planetarians it’s likely are destitute of all refined Knowlege, just as the Americans were before they had Commerce with the
Europeans. For if one considers the Ignorance of [67]
those Nations, and of others in Asia and Africa equally barbarous,
it will appear as if the main design of the Creator in placing Men upon the
Earth was that they might live, and, in a just sense of all the Blessings and
Pleasure they enjoy, worship the Fountain of their Happiness; but that some bold
fellows have leapt over the bounds of Nature, and made searches into those
forbidden depths only out of an affectation of knowing more than they were made
for. There does not want an Answer for these Men. For God could not but foresee
the advances Men would make, in their enquiring into the Affairs of Heaven: that
they would discover Arts useful and advantageous to Life: that they would cross
the Seas, and dig up the Bowels of the Earth. Nothing of all this could happen
contrary to the Mind and Knowlege of the Infinite Author of all things. And if
he foresaw these things would be, he so appointed and destin’d them to human
kind. And the Studies of Arts and Sciences cannot be said to be con[68]trary
to Nature, since in the search thereof they are employ’d: especially if we
consider the natural desire and love of Knowlege, rooted in all men. For it’s
impossible this should have been given them upon no design or account. But they
will urge, that if such a Knowlege is natural, if we were born for it, why are
there so very few, especially in Astronomy, that prosecute these Studies? For
Europe is the only Quarter of the Earth in which there have been any
advancements made in Astronomy. And as for the Judicial Astrology, that pretends
to foretel what is to come, it is such a ridiculous, and oftentimes mischievous
Folly, that I do not think it fit to be so much as named. And even in Europe,
not one in a hundred thousand meddles with these Studies. Besides, its Original
and Rise is so late, that many Ages were past before the very first Rudiments of
Astronomy or Geometry (which is necessary to the learning of it) were known. For
every body is acquainted almost with its first beginnings in Egypt and
Greece. Add to [69] this, that ’tis not yet
above fourscore years since the bungling Epicycles were discarded, and the true
and easy plain Motion of the Planets was discover’d. For the satisfaction of
these Scruples, to what we said before, concerning the Fore-knowlege of God, may
be added this; That God never design’d we should come into the World Astronomers
or Philosophers ; these Arts are not infus’d into us at our birth, but were order’d, in long tracts of Time, by degrees to be the rewards and result of
laborious Diligence: especially those Sciences which are now in debate, are so
much the more difficult and abstruse, that their late Invention and slow
Progress are so far from being a wonder, that it is rather strange they were
ever discover’d at all. There are but few, I acknowlege one or two perhaps, in
an age, that pursue them, or think them their business: but their number will be
very considerable if we take in those that have liv’d in all the ages in which
Astronomy hath flourished: and no body can deny them that happiness and
contentment which [70] they have pretended to above
all others. In fine, it was sufficient that so small a number should make it
their study; so that the Profit and Advantage of their Inventions might but
spread it self over all the World. Since then the Inhabitants of this Earth, let
them be never so few, have had Parts and Genius sufficient for the attainment of
this Knowlege; and there’s no reason to think the Planetarians less ingenious or
happy than our selves; we have gained our point, and ’tis probable that they are
as skilful Astronomers as we can pretend to be. So that now we may venture to
deduce some Consequences from such a Supposition.

We have before show’d the necessary Dependence and Connexion,
not only of Geometry and Arithmetick, but of mechanical Arts and Instruments
with this Science. This leads us naturally to the enquiry how they can use these
Instruments and Engines for the observation of the Stars, how they can write
down such their Observations, and perform other things which we do with our
hands.

So [71] that we must necessarily
give them hands, or some other Member, as convenient for all those uses, instead
of them. I know an antient Philosopher laid such stress upon the use and conveniency of the
hands, that he made no scruple to affirm, they were the cause and foundation of
all our Knowlege. By which, I suppose, he meant no more, than that without their
help and assistance men could never arrive to the improvement of their Minds in
natural Knowlege: And truly not without reason. For suppose instead of them they
had had Hoofs like Horses or Bullocks given them, they might have laid indeed
the model and design of them in their Head, but they would never have been able
to have built Cities and Houses. They would have had no Subject of Discourse but
what belong’d to their Victuals, Marriages, or Self-preservation. They would
have been void of all Knowlege and Memory, and indeed would have been but one
degree distant from brute Beasts. What could we invent or imagine that could be
so [72] exactly accommodated to all the design’d
uses as the Hands are? Shall we give them an Elephants Proboscis. ’Tis true,
these Beasts can lay hold of, or throw any thing, can take up even the smallest
things from the Ground, and can perform such admirable feats with it, that it
has not very improperly been call’d their Hand, tho indeed it is nothing but a
Nose somewhat longer than ordinary. Nor do Birds show less Art and Design in the
use of their Bills in the picking up their Meat, and the wonderful composure of
their Nests. But all this is nothing to those Conveniences the Hand is so
admirably suted to; nothing to that amazing contrivance in its capacity of being
stretch’d, or contracted, or turned to any part as occasion shall require. And
then, to pass by that nice Sense that the ends of the Fingers are endued with,
even to the feeling and distinguishing most sorts of Bodies in the dark, what
Wisdom and Art is show’d in the disposition of the Thumb and Fingers, so as to
take up or keep fast hold of any thing we please? Ei[73]ther
then the Gentlemen that live there must have Hands, or somewhat equally
convenient, which is no easy matter; or else we must say that Nature has been
kinder not only to us, but even to Squirrels and Monkeys than them.

That they have Feet scarce anyone can doubt, that does but
consider what we said but just now of the different methods of Progression,
which it’s hard to imagin can be perform’d any other ways than what we there
recounted. And, of all those, there’s none can agree so well with the state of
the Planetarians, as that that we here make use of. Except (what is not very
probable, if they live in Society, as I shall show they do) they have found out
the art of flying in some of these Worlds.

The Stature and Shape of Men here does show forth the Divine
Providence so much in its being so fitly adapted to its design’d Uses, that it
is not without reason that all the Philosophers have taken notice of it nor
without probability that the Planeta[74]rians have
their Eyes and Countenance upright, like us, for the more convenient and easy
Contemplation and Observations of the Stars. And the Wisdom of the Creator is so
observable, so praiseworthy in the position of the other Members; in the
convenient situation of the Eyes, as Watches in the higher Region of the Body;
in the removing of the more uncomly parts out of sight as ’twere; that we cannot
but think he has almost observed the same Method in the Bodies of those remote
Inhabitants.

Nor does it follow from hence that they must be of the same
shape with us. For there is such an infinite possible variety of Figures to be
imagined, that both the Oeconomy of their whole Bodies, and every part of them;
may be quite distinct and different from ours. How warmly and conveniently are
some Creatures clothed with Wool, and how finely are others deck’d and adorn’d
with Feathers? Perhaps among the rational Creatures in the Planets there may
some such distinction be observ’d in their Garb and Co[75]vering;
a thing in which Men are apt to envy the happiness of Beasts, tho perhaps
without reason. For men might be born naked, only perhaps for the employment and
exercising their Wits, in the inventing and making that Attire that Nature had
made necessary for them. And ’tis this necessity that has been the greatest, if
not only occasion of all the Trade and Commerce of all the Mechanical Inventions
and Discoveries that we are masters of. Besides, Nature might have another great
Conveniency in her eye, by bringing men into the World naked, namely, that they
might accommodate themselves to all places of the World, and go thicker or
thinner cloth’d, according as the Season and Climate they liv’d in required.
There may still be a greater difference between us and them; for there is a sort
of Animals in the World, as Oysters, Lobsters, and Crab-fish, whose Flesh is on
the inside of their Bones as ’twere. What if the Planetarians should be such? O
no, some body will say, it would be a hideous sight, [76]
so ugly, that Nature has not made any but her refuse and meaner Creatures of
such an odd Composition. As for that, I should not be at all moved with their
ugly shape, if it were not, that hereby they would be deprived of that quick
easy motion of their Hands and Fingers, which is so useful and necessary to
them.

For ’tis a very ridiculous opinion, that the common people
have got among them, that it is impossible a rational Soul should dwell in any
other shape than ours. And yet as silly as ’tis, it has been the occasion of
many Philosophers allowing the Gods no other shape; nay, the Foundation of a
Sect among the Christians, that from hence have the name of Anthropomorphites.
This can proceed from nothing but the Weakness, Ignorance, and Prejudice of Men;
as well as that too of humane Figure being the handsomest and most excellent of
all others, when indeed it’s nothing but a being accustomed to that figure that
makes us think so, and a conceit that we and all other Animals natu[77]rally
have, that no shape or colour can be so good as our own. Yet methinks this fancy
has such a rule upon my mind, that I cannot without horror and impatience suffer
any other figure for the habitation of a reasonable Soul. For when I do but
represent to my Imagination or Eyes a Creature like a Man in every thing else,
but that has a Neck four times as long, and great round sawcer Eyes five or six
times as big, and farther distant, I cannot look upon’t without the utmost
aversion, altho at the same time I can give no account of my Dislike.

As I was talking somewhat above of the Stature of the
Planetary Inhabitants, I hinted that ’twas improbable they should be less than
we are. For it’s likely, that as our Bodies are made in such a proportion to our
Earth, as to render us capable of travelling about it, and making Observations
upon its bulk and figure, the same Order is observ’d in the Inhabitants of the
other Planets, except here too our Pride put in for our Preeminence. Then seeing
we have before [78] allow’d them Astronomy and
Observations, we must give them Bodies and Strength sufficient for the ruling
their Instruments, and the erecting their Tubes and Engines. And for this the
larger they are the better. For if we should make them little Fellows about the
bigness of Rats or Mice, they could neither make such Observations as are
requisite; nor such Instruments as are necessary to those Observations.
Therefore we must suppose them larger than, or at least equal to our selves,
especially in Jupiter and Saturn, which are so vastly bigger than
the Planet which we inhabit.

Astronomy, we said before, could never subsist without the
writing down the Observations: nor could the Art of Writing (any more than the
Carpenters and Founders) ever be found out except in a Society of reasonable
Creatures, where the necessities of Life forc’d them upon Invention: So that
what I promis’d to prove follows from hence, namely, that the Planetarians must
in this be like us, that they maintain a Society and Fel[79]lowship
with, and afford mutual Assistances and Helps to one another. Hereupon we must
allow them a settled, not a wandring Scythian way of living, as more
convenient for men in such circumstances. But what then? Shall they have every
thing else proper for such a manner of living granted them too? Shall they have
their Governours, Houses, Cities, Trade, and Bartering? Why not? when even the
barbarous People of America and other places were at their first
discovery found to have somewhat of that nature in use among them. I won’t say,
that things must be the same there as they are here. We have many that may very
well be spared among rational Creatures, and were design’d only for the
preservation of Society from all Injury, and for the curbing of those men who
make an ill use of their Reason to the detriment of others, Perhaps in the
Planets they have such plenty and affluence of all good things, as they neither
need or desire to steal from one another; perhaps they may be so just and good
as to be at perpetual [80] Peace, and never to lie
in wait for, or take away the Life of their Neighbour: perhaps they may not know
what Anger or Hatred are; which we to our cost and misery know too too well. But
still it’s more likely they have such a medly as we, such a mixture of good with
bad, of wise with fools, of war with peace, and want not that Schoolmistress of
Arts Poverty. For these things are of no small use: and if there were no other,
’twould, be reason enough that we are as good Men as themselves.

What I am now going to say may seem somewhat more bold, and
yet is not less likely than the former. For if these new Nations live in
Society, as I have pretty well show’d they do, ’tis somewhat more than probable
that they enjoy not only the Profit, but the Pleasures arising from such a
Society: such as Conversation, Amours, Jesting, and Sights. Otherwise we should
make them live like so many Catos, without Diversion or Merriment; we
should deprive them of the great Sweetness of Life, which it can’t well
[81] be without, and give our selves such an
advantage over them as Reason will by no means admit of.

But to proceed to a farther Enquiry into their Business and
Employment, let’s consider what we have not already mention’d, wherein they may
bear any likeness to us. And first we have good reason to believe they build
themselves Houses, because we are sure they be not without their Showers. For in
Jupiter have been observ’d Clouds, big no doubt with Vapors and Water,
which hath been proved by many other Arguments, not to be wanting in that
Planet. They have then their Rain, for otherwise how could all the Vapors drawn
up by the heat of the Sun be disposed of? and their Winds, for they are caused
only by Vapors dissolved by heat, and it’s plain that they blow in Jupiter
by the continual motion and variety of the Clouds about him. To protect
themselves from these, and that they may pass their Nights in quiet and safety,
they must build themselves Tents or Huts, or live in holes of the Earth.
[82] For I dare not affront the Pride of Men so
much as to say, they are as good Architects, have as noble Houses, and as
stately Palaces as our selves. And good now who are we? Why a company of mean
fellows living in a little corner of the World, upon a Ball ten thousand times
less than Jupiter or Saturn. And yet we forsooth must be the only
skilful People at Building: and all others must be our Inferiours in the
knowlege of uniform Symmetry; and not be able to raise Towers and Pyramids as
high, magnificent, and beautiful, as ourselves. For my part, I see no reason why
they may not be as great Masters at it as we are, and have the use of all those
Arts subservient to it, as Stone-cutting and Brick-making, and whatsoever else
is necessary for it, as Iron, Lead and Glass; or ornamental to it, as Gilding
and Picture.

If their Globe is divided like ours, between Sea and Land, as
it’s evident it is (else whence could all those Vapors in Jupiter proceed?) we
have great reason to allow them the Art of [83]
Navigation, and not proudly ingross so great, so useful a thing to our selves.
Especially considering the great advantages Jupiter and Saturn
have for sailing, in having so many Moons to direct their Course, by whose
guidance they may attain easily to the Knowlege that we are not Masters of, of
the Longitude of Places. And what a troop of other things follow from this
allowance? If they have Ships, they must have Sails and Anchors, Ropes, Pullies,
and Rudders, which are of particular use in directing a Ship’s Course against
the Wind, and in sailing different ways with the same Gale. And perhaps they may
not be without the use of the Compass too, for the magnetical matter, which
continually passes through the Pores of our Earth, is of such a nature, that
it’s very probable the Planets have something like it. But there’s no doubt but
that they must have the Mechanical Arts and Astronomy, without which Navigation
can no more subsist, than they can without Geometry.

But Geometry stands in no need of being proved after this
manner. Nor doth it want assistance from other Arts which depend upon it, but we
may have a nearer and shorter assurance of their not being without it in those
Earths. For that Science is of such singular worth and dignity, so peculiarly
imploys the Understanding, and gives it such a full comprehension and infallible
certainty of Truth, as no other Knowlege can pretend to: it is moreover of such
a nature, that its Principles and Foundations must be so immutably the same in
all times and places, that we cannot without Injustice pretend to monopolize it,
and rob the rest of the Universe of such an incomparable Study. Nay Nature it
self invites us to be Geometricians: it presents us with Geometrical Figures,
with Circles and Squares, with Triangles, Polygones, and Spheres, and proposes
them as it were to our consideration and study, which abstracting from its
Usefulness, is most delightful and ravishing. Who can read Euclid, or
Apollonius, [85] about the Circle, without
admiration? or Archimedes of the Surface of the Sphere, and Quadrature of
the Parabola without amazement? or consider the late ingenious Discoveries of
the Moderns with Boldness and Unconcernedness? And all these Truths are as naked
and open, and depend upon the same plain Principles and Axioms in Jupiter
and Saturn as here, which makes it not improbable that there are in the
Planets some who partake with us in these delightful and pleasant Studies. But
what’s the greatest Argument with me, that there are such is their use, I had
almost said necessity, in most Affairs of humane Life. Now we are got thus far,
what if we should venture somewhat farther, and tell you, that they have our
Inventions of the Tables of Sines, of Logarithms, and Algebra: I know I should
be laugh’d at for an idle Discoverer of nothing but ridiculous Whimsies, and yet
there’s no reason but the old one, of our being better than all the World, to
hinder them from being as happy in their Discoveries, and as ingenious
[86] in their Inventions as we our selves are.

It’s the same with Musick as with Geometry, it’s every where
immutably the same, and always will be so. For all Harmony consists in Concord,
and Concord is all the World over fixt according to the same invariable measure
and proportion. So that in all Nations the difference and distance of Notes is
the same, whether they be in a continued gradual progression, or the voice makes
skips over one to the next. Nay very credible Authors report, that there’s a
sort of Bird in America, that can plainly sing in order six musical
Notes: whence it follows that the Laws of Musick are unchangeably fix’d by
Nature, and therefore the same Reason holds valid for their Musick, as we e’en
now proposed for their Geometry. For why, supposing other Nations and Creatures,
endued with Reason and Sense as well as we, should not they reap the Pleasures
arising from these Senses as well as we too? I don’t know what effect this
Argument, from the immutable nature of these [87]
Arts, may have upon the Minds of others; I think it no inconsiderable or
contemptible one, but of as great Strength as that which I made use of above to
prove that the Planetarians had the sense of Seeing.

But if they take delight in Harmony, ’tis twenty to one but
that they have invented musical Instruments. For, if nothing else, they could
scarce help lighting upon some or other by chance; the sound of a tight String,
the noise of the Winds, or the whistling of Reeds, might have given them the
hint. From these small beginnings they perhaps, as well as we, have advanced by
degrees to the use of the Lute, Harp, Flute, and many string’d Instruments. But altho the Tones are certain and determinate, yet we find among different Nations
a quite different manner and rule for Singing; as formerly among the Dorians,
Phrygians, and Lydians, and in our time among the French, Italians, and
Persians. In like manner it may so happen, that the Musick of the Inhabitants of
the Planets may widely differ [88] from all these,
and yet be very good. But why we should look upon their Musick to be worse than
ours, there’s no reason can be given; neither can we well presume that they want
the use of half-notes and quarter-notes, seeing the invention of half-notes is
so obvious, and the use of ’em so agreeable to nature. Nay, to go a step
farther, what if they should excel us in the Theory and practick part of Musick,
and outdo us in Consorts of vocal and instrumental Musick, so artificially
compos’d, that they shew their Skill by the mixtures of Discords and Concords?
and of this last sort ’tis very likely the 5th and 3d in use with
them.

This is a very bold Assertion, but it may be true for ought we
know, and the Inhabitants of the Planets may possibly have a greater insight
into the Theory of Musick than has yet bin discover’d amongst us. For if you ask
any of our Musicians, why two or more perfect fifths cannot be us’d regularly in
composition; some say ’tis to avoid that Sweetness and Lushiousness which arises
from the repetition of this plea[89]sing Chord:
Others say, this must be avoided for the sake of that variety of Chords that are
requisite to make a good composition; and these Reasons are brought by Cartes
and others. But an Inhabitant of Jupiter or Venus will perhaps
give you a better reason for this, viz. because when you pass from one
perfect fifth to another, there is such a change made as immediately alters your
Key, you are got into a new Key before the Ear is prepared for it, and the more
perfect Chords you use of the same kind in Consecution, by so much the more you
offend the Ear by these abrupt Changes.

Again, one of these Inhabitants will tell you how it comes
about, that in a Song of one or more Parts, the Key cannot be kept so well in
the same agreeable Tenor, unless the intermediate Closes and Intervals be so
temper’d, as to vary from their usual Proportions, and thereby to hear a little
this way or that, in order to regulate the Scale. And why this Temperature is
best in the System of the Strings, when out of the fifth the fourth part of a
[90] Comma is usually cut off; This same thing I
have formerly shew’d at large.

But for the regulating the Tone of the Voice (as I before
hinted) that may admit of a more easy proof, and we shall give you an Essay of
it, being unwilling still to put you off with my own whims: I say therefore, if
any Persons strike those Sounds which the Musicians distinguish by these
Letters, C, F, D, G, C, by these agreeable Intervals, altogether, perfect,
interchangable, ascending and descending with the Voice: Now this latter sound C
will be one Comma, or very small portion lower than the first sounding of C.
Because of these perfect Intervals, which are as 4 to 3, 5 to 6, 4 to 3, 2 to 3,
an account is made in such a proportion, as 160 to 162, that is as 80 to 81,
which is what they call a Comma. So that if the same Sound should be repeated
nine times; the Voice would fall near the matter a greater Tone, whose
proportion is as 8 to 9. But this the sense of the Ears by no means endures, but
remembers the first Tone, and returns to it again. [91]
Therefore we are compell’d to use an occult Temperament, and to sing these
imperfect Intervals, from doing which less offence arises. And for the most
part, all Singing wants this Temperament, as may be collected by the aforesaid
Computations. And these things we have offer’d to those that have some Knowlege
in Geometry.

We have spoke of these Arts and Inventions, which it is very
probable the Inhabitants of the Planets partake of in common with us, besides
which it seems requisite to take in many other things that serve either for the
use or pleasure of their Lives. But what these things are we shall the better
account for, by laying before us many of those things which are found amongst
us. I have before mention’d the variety of Animals and Vegetables, which very
much differ from each other, among which there are some that differ but little;
and I have said, that there are no less differences in these things in the
Planetary Worlds.

I shall now take a short view of the Benefits we receive both
from those [92] Herbs and Animals, and see whether
we may not with very good reason conclude that the Planetarians reap as great
and as many from those that their Countries afford them.

And here it may be worth our while to take a review of the
variety and multitude of our Riches. For Trees and Herbs do not only serve us
for Food, they in their delicious Fruits, these in their Seeds, Leaves and
Roots; but Herbs moreover furnish us with Physick, and Trees with Timber for our
Houses and Ships. Flax, by the means of those two useful Arts of Spinning and
Weaving, affords us Clothing. Of Hemp or Matweed we twist our selves Thread and
small Ropes, the former of which we employ in Sails and Nets, the latter in
making larger Ropes for Masts and Anchors. With the sweet Smells and beauteous
Colours of Flowers we feast our Senses: and even those of them that offend our
Nostrils, or are mischievous to our Bodies, are seldom without excellent uses:
or were made perhaps by Nature as a foil to set off, [93]
and make us the more value the good by comparing them with these. What vast
advantages and profit do we reap from the Animals? The Sheep give us Clothing,
and the Cows afford us Milk: and both of them their Flesh for our Sustenance.
Asses, Camels, and Horses do, what if we wanted them we must do ours selves,
carry our Burdens; and the last of them we make use of, either themselves to
carry us, or in our Coaches to draw us. In which we have so excellent, so useful
an Invention of Wheels, that I can’t let the Planets enjoy Society and all its
consequences, and be without them. Whether they are Pythagoreans there, or feed
upon Flesh as we do, I dare not affirm any thing. Tho it seems to be allow’d Men
to feed upon whatsoever may afford them Nourishment, either on Land, or in
Water, upon Herbs, and Pomes, Milk, Eggs, Honey, Fish, and no less upon the
Flesh of many Birds and Beasts. A strange thing! that a rational Creature should
live upon the Ruin and Destruction of such a number of other
[94] his Fellow-Creatures! And yet not at all
unnatural should it seem, since not only he, but even Lions, Wolves, and other
ravenous Beasts, prey upon Flocks of other harmless things, and make mere Fodder
of them; as Eagles do of Pidgeons and Hares; and large Fish of the helpless
little ones. We have different sorts of Dogs for Hunting, and what our own Legs
cannot, that their Nose and Legs can help us to. But the Use and Profit of Herbs
and Animals are not the only things they are good for, but they raise our
delight and admiration when we consider their various Forms and Natures, and
enquire into all their different ways of Generation: things so infinitely
multifarious, and so delightfully amazing, that the Books of Natural
Philosophers are deservedly fill’d with their Encomiums. For even in the very
Insects, who can but admire the six-corner’d Cells of the Bees, or the
artificial Web of a Spider, or the fine Bag of a Silk-worm, which last affords
us, with the help of incredible Industry, even Shiploads of soft delicate
[95] Clothing. This is a short Summary of those
many profitable Advantages the animal and herbal World serve us with.

But this is not all. The Bowels of the Earth too must
contribute to Man’s Happiness. For what art and cunning does he employ in
finding, in digging, in trying Metals, and in melting, refining, and tempering
them? What Skill and Nicety in beating, drawing or dissolving Gold, so as with
inconsiderable changes to make every thing he pleases put on that noble Lustre?
Of how many and admirable uses is Iron? and how ignorant in all Mechanical Knowlege were those Nations that were not acquainted with it, so as to be fain
to use no Arms but Bows, Clubs, and Spears, made of Wood. Poor Weapons! There’s
one thing indeed we have, which it’s a question whether it has done more harm or
good, and that’s a devilish Powder made of Nitre and Brimstone. At first indeed
it seem’d as if we had got a more secure Defence than former Ages against all
Assaults, and could [96] easily guard our Towns, by
the wonderful strength of that Invention, against all hostile Invasions: but now
we find it has rather encouraged them, and at the same time bin no small
occasion of the decay of Valor, by rendring it and Strength almost useless in
War. Had the Grecian Emperor who said,
Virtue was ruin’d only when Slings and Rams first came into use, liv’d in
our days, he might well have complain’d; especially of Bombs, against which
neither Art nor Nature is of sufficient proof: but which be it never so strong,
lays every thing, Castles and Towers, even with the Ground. If for nothing else,
yet upon this one account, I think we had better have bin without the Discovery.
Yet, when we were talking of our Discoveries, it was not to be pass’d over, for
the Planets too may have their mischievous as well as useful Inventions.

We are happier in the uses for which the Air and Water serve
us; both of which help us in our Navigation, and furnish us with a Strength
[97] sufficient, without any labor of our own, to
turn round our Mills and Engines; things which are of use to us in so many
different Employments. For with them we grind our Corn, and squeeze out our Oyl;
with them we cut Wood, and mill Cloth, and with them we beat our stuff for
Paper. An incomparable Invention! Where the nastiest useless scraps of Linen are
made to produce fine white Sheets. To these we may add the late discovery of
Printing, which not only preserves from Death, Arts and Knowlege, but makes them
much easier to be attained than before. Nor must we forget the Arts of Engraving
and Painting, which from mean beginnings have improv’d to that Excellence, that
nothing that ever sprung from the Wit of Man can claim Preeminence to them. Nor
is the way of melting and blowing Glasses, and of polishing and spreading
Quicksilver over Mirrors, unworthy of being mention’d, nor above all the
admirable uses that Glasses have bin put to in natural Knowlege, since the
invention [98] of the Telescope and Microscope. And
no less nice and fine is the Art of making Clocks, some of which are so small as
to be no weight to the Bearer; and others so exact as to measure out the Time in
as small Portions as any one can desire: the improvement of which the World owes
to my Inventions [The Author invented the Pendulum for Clocks].

I might add much here of the late Discoveries, most of them of
this age, which have bin made in all sorts of Natural Knowlege as well as in
Geometry and Astronomy, as of the weight and spring of the Air, of the Chymical
Experiments that have brought to light a way of making Liquors that shall shine
in the dark, and with gentle moving shall burn of themselves. I could tell you
of the Circulation of the Blood through the Veins and Arteries, which was
understood indeed before; but now, by the help of the Microscope, has an ocular
Demonstration in the Tails of some Fishes: of the Generation of Animals, which
now is found to be perform’d no otherwise than by the Seed of one
[99] of the same kind; and that in the Seed of the
Male are discover’d, by the help of Glasses, Millions of sprightly little
Animals, which it’s probable are the very Offspring of the Animals themselves: a
wonderful thing, and never before now known!

Thus have I heap’d together all these late Discoveries of our
Earth: and now, tho perhaps some of them may be common to the Planetarians with
us, yet that they should have all of them is not credible. But then they have
somewhat to make up that defect, others as good and as useful, and as wonderful,
that we want. We have allow’d that they may have rational Creatures among them,
and Geometricians, and Musicians: we have prov’d that they live in Societies,
have Hands and Feet, are guarded with Houses and Walls: yet if a Man was but
carried thither by some powerful Genius, some Pegasus, I don’t doubt ’twould
be a very pretty sight, pretty beyond all imagination, to see the odd ways, and
the unusual manner of their setting about any thing, and their
[100] strange methods of living. But since there’s
no hopes of a Mercury to carry us such a Journey, we shall e’en be
contented with what’s in our power: we shall suppose our selves there, and
inquire as far as we can into the Astronomy of each Planet, and see in what
manner the Heavens present themselves to their Inhabitants. We shall make some
Observations of the Eminence of each of them, in respect of their Magnitude, and
number of Moons they have to wait on them; and shall propose a new Method of
coming to some knowlege of the incredible distance of the fix’d Stars. But first
after this long Trouble we will give our Reader a breathing while.